Today's Scripture:

Romans 2:28-29b (NLT)

"For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circimcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit."

Observation:

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by rules and expectations?

Think of how the Jewish people must have felt as they tried to keep up with more than 600 rules from the Old Testament and many more that had been imposed on them by the religious leaders of their day.

And imagine their surprise when Jesus simplified the pursuit of righteousness by narrowing the list down to just two!

Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) 

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

In essense, Jesus is telling us that the way God knows we love Him is by how we treat people.

Yes dear, all of them.

Let's face it: loving our neighbor can be a tough challenge.

However everyone, regardless of beliefs or behaviors, is worthy of respect.

Why?

Because, God made everyone and He doesn't make junk.

Psalms 8:5 (NIV)

"You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings  and crowned him with glory and honor."

Yes, people may make wrong decisions all the time but they are still valuable to God. Even the most unlovable person in the whole wide world is love by God.

What's the proof?

Jesus died for everyone. 

Christ took our punishment.

Romans 3:25a (NLT)

"For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin."

So you may not place much value in certain people, but God does.

This only shows that every person you meet, whether good or bad, is worth dying for.

If we love other people, whether they hurt us or not, shows that we really know God.

1 John 4:8 (NIV) 

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

The Bible says that God is love and if you really know God you'll fill your heart with love.

And as we love God and our neighbor, everything else falls into place.

Think about this: If I love my neighbor,  I won't bear false witness against him, covet his wealth or his wife, or steal from him.

Loving others for God's sake even provides the grace and strength to forgive those who have heaped injustice upon us.

Application:

So don't hesitate to show love even to the worst sinner you know.

Remember that you'll get back whatever you give out.

It's the law of the harvest.

Whatever goes around comes around.

If you want to be respected and loved, you must treat other people with respect and love.

Galatians 6:7 (NIV) 

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

So, who needs to see God's love today through you? The more unlovable the person, the greater the statement about how much you love God!

Start it now.

Remember this: Loving God is the key to loving others.

Let's talk about this:

Loving God is the key to loving others. How will that change your behavior? What are some ways you think can fill your life with love?

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© Our Daily Bread (2013) and Rick Warren's Daily Hope